Routine-Tracker Apps
Very quickly, in every scenario, smart phones and tablets are replacing pen and paper. Why shouldn’t this trend continue into the gym? Even better: Instead of just reminding us what exercises to do, why don’t we have it track the amount of weight, rest time, and repetitions while we’re at it? Here are two apps that will accomplish these tasks quickly, and on something you already carry with you.
Stronglifts 5×5
For those of you who have read the beginner’s weightlifting breakdown, you’ll be familiar with the Stronglifts program. It is a no-nonsense approach to getting the most return out of your gym investment when you’re first starting out. This is the partner app to the routine. Developed by the same people who brought you the program, this app is guaranteed to follow the program to a T and keep you hitting those personal records weekly. It will keep track of the repetitions you hit, letting you know when to add weight, allows you to take notes on the workout, and will show your entire history with the program. You’ll be able to see the progress front and center with features like that. The official app is only available on iOS currently, but an option for Android users out there is Strong Log, which accomplishes all the same tasks just as well.
Pumping Weight
Not everyone needs a program-specific app, especially those who have started venturing into developing their own routines. That is where Pumping Weight comes into play. Available exclusively on iOS, this is one of the most powerful, featureful and cleanest routine-tracking apps out there. The app has received several awards including being named an App Store Essential, App of the Day, and Apple Staff Favorite. Past your usual input-exercise-then-reps tracking features, Pumping Weight boasts a wide arrange of graphs (1 Repetition Max, Total Weight Moved, Number of Sessions, etc.), rest timer, body measurements, and a bird’s-eye calendar showing your future workouts. The most impressive feature, though, is the neglect reminder. This small part of the application simply reminds you if you are neglecting part of your routine. For those of us who may spend a bit too much time on the vanity muscles and forget about the two slabs of meat that move us around, this feature will help keep us balanced and proportional.
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